Mbenenge tells tribunal he believes he was 'being led on' by Mengo

JOHANNESBURG - Eastern Cape top judge, Selby Mbenenge, has told the body investigating sexual harassment allegations against him that his junior staffer, Andiswa Mengo, led him on.

The judge president has alleged that Mengo did not reject him when he made advances towards her, leading to a flirtatious relationship between them.

Mbenenge was cross-examined before the Judicial Conduct Tribunal sitting in Sandton, Johannesburg on Wednesday.

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Evidence leader, Salome Scheepers: "Do you understand that emojis and vague responses are not an indication of consent or reciprocation, but possibly a coping mechanism in an uncomfortable situation, like the complainant testified? She was trying to cope, meaning she did not want to talk."

Mbenenge: "No, that's not."

Scheepers: "She does not want to say things."

Mbenenge: "No, no, that's not what it means."

Scheepers: "It can mean that. It can mean that some things are better not said because she knew that she had to respect you."

However, Mbenenge said that the messages from the complainant did not suggest this.

"I disagree with the interpretation that you are giving from the perspective that I am saying, insofar as whether these chats were welcome or unwelcome, I have not come across anything that was conveyed to me that should make me believe that it was unwelcome. I don’t regard what she is saying there as a rebuff. On the contrary, I believe that I was being led on."